Hi everyone

This is my first pregnancy and it is still fairly early days (9 weeks!), however, I am starting to think about options for labour and birth (partly to kid myself that I can have some semblance of control over the whole thing - ha!)

Anyway, I was just wondering whether home births are allowed for first-timers, or will I be encouraged to go to hospital?

For those who had a home birth first time round - how did you find it? What pain relief options are available? Would you do it again??

Thank you!

Cath x

I'm going to, it's my first too!
Look at http://www.homebirth.org.uk/firstbaby.htm (and the rest of the site) to give you lots of info!

Em 19+3 x x x

H i yes you can.
I had my 1st baby at home (& have just had my 4th at home too) and it was a really good experience. My cousin is expecting her 1st in october and is being encouraged by her midwife to have a homebirth!
I had a waterbirth with all of my babies and found the water fab pain releif!! I also used G&A each time which i LOVED!LOL! and this time i also had a TENS mashine before i got into the water which i found helped a bit.
In some areas you can also have pethadine (but not if you want a waterbirth) you would have to check that with your midwife?
xx

Thanks for your replies!

I will check out that link EmilyB.

Another slightly odd Q - but how big are birthing pools?? Our flat is not exactly large (only one bedroom - eek!!) - although we hope to be in somewhere bigger by the time baby arrives...

michelle07 - did your MW arrange/supply the gas and air and TENS machine?

I am seeing my MW for the first time next week so will go armed with lots of Qs!

Thanks again...

xx

I had a homebirth 1st time round and am hoping to have another one this time too (due in November) It was a wonderful experience and would really reccommend it.
I had my tens machine and gas and air and my midwife said that I could have been prescribed pethadine beforehand, if I wanted it, but I didn't!! The midwife supplied the gas and air, but I bought my tens machine from Mothercare I think.
Good luck, lots of love xxxxxx

I hired my TENS machine (£18 for 4 weeks plus extra 2 weeks free) and the midwives bring the G&A some bring it when you are in labour some drop it off with your homebirth pack at 36/37 weeks.
I had the mini birth in a box pool which i would say is about 6ft round. but after you have blown it up to test it you could put it down and inflate it when you are in labour if you haven't got the room to leave it up?. It takes about 10 mins to blow up and about 40 mins to fill.
xx

I am going to first and it is my first! Am also doing hypnobirthing which is really helping with positive thoughts about the birth xx will also be getting a birthing pool
x

I did. It was great. Wouldn't dream of doing anything else! Had birthpool in a box, the measurements are on the website. Entonox ran out on me, but the water was enough.

Main piece of advice would be make sure you talk to a community midwife. Our hospital version ones look at you like you're a bit of a wierdo if you want to exercise any sort of personal choice over the whole process!